Reflection of William Ernest Henley’s Own Life through the Poem Invictus

Abstract

The poem ‘Invictus’ is undoubtedly considered as the finest creation of William Ernest Henley. A Latin word invictus stands for unconquerable in English. The very name of the poem is suggestive of the tone and theme of the poem. It tells about the hardships and struggles of the poet he faced in his own life and at the same time shows the indomitable spirit the poet used to have to fight life and emerge as victorious. This article would endeavour to go deep inside the life of the poet and discover the intimate relation of the poet with his own creation naming the poem ‘Invictus’. This paper would also explore a structural analysis of the poem to establish an identification of the larger than life attitude inherent and expressed in the poem itself. It would also be an exploration of Henley’s belonging to the famously called Victorian Spirit.